Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of using a therapeutic theater method of drama therapy with adolescents in a residential drug treatment setting. The design of the study is a descriptive group case study based on an eight-week therapeutic theater process, in which participants created an original piece of theater and performed it for the other residents of the facility. The data collected include the existent literature on both therapeutic theater and adolescent substance abuse, process and supervision notes, session material, and feedback from participants. This data was analyzed in order to discern the potential effects of the therapeutic theater process on the participants, with a particular focus on self-esteem, autonomy, and social skills as areas of potential change. The results of this study suggest that the therapeutic theater process had a positive effect on the self-esteem of the participants as well as their ability to communicate effectively with others and develop meaningful relationships. The implication of these results is that therapeutic theater is a useful therapeutic tool to be used with adolescents in a residential drug treatment setting